Peter Bogdanovich’s Final Film ‘Squirrels to the Nuts’ Releases Director’s Cut on VOD

Lionsgate has finally done the right thing, and released a restored director’s cut of the late Peter Bogdanovich‘s final film, “Squirrels to the Nuts,” on VOD (via Variety).

“Squirrels to the Nuts” was originally released as “She’s Funny That Way” in 2014. The cast included Owen Wilson, Imogen Poots, Kathryn Hahn, Jennifer Aniston, Cybill Shepherd, Austin Pendleton, Will Forte, Rhys Ifans, Joanna Lumley and Richard Lewis.

Here’s the press release:

Peter Bogdanovich was one of the most accomplished filmmakers of his generation as well as a respected writer, actor, producer, and film historian. At Lionsgate, we have a long and proud history of working with acclaimed filmmakers, and we are delighted to present the final movie from one of the greats. For film aficionados, this presentation of ‘Squirrels to the Nuts’ is the way Peter Bogdanovich wanted it to be seen, in a fully restored director’s cut available on all digital formats.

In 2020, a copy of Bogdanovich's original cut was found on eBay by James Kenney, an English lecturer based in New York City. A cut was shown at New York's Museum of Modern Art in March 2022, and that sparked the small movement for the director’s cut to see the light of day.

Bogdanovich, the filmmaker behind “The Last Picture Show,” “Paper Moon” and “Mask,” died in 2022. He was never satisfied with the original theatrical cut, His producing partner, and ex-wife, Louise Stratten had stated, “We would watch it and say, ‘There’s a better movie there.’”

“She’s Funny That Way,” which was Bogdanocih’s talent-filled ode to screwball comedies of old, was panned by critics (45% on RT). I vaguely remember much of it, an otherwise forgettable and messy film, but I am interested in taking a look at the “director’s cut.”

Bogdanovich's original version, “Squirrels to the Nuts,” ran 123 minutes. However, he had to re-edit the film in order to get a release, which saw a modified version, 30 minutes shorter, hit theaters. The released version deleted key scenes, much of the music, and inserted a framing device of an interview that cuts in and out through the film.